Bachelor of Laws (Honours) / Diploma of Legal Practice

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Diploma of Legal Practice is offered by the School of Law and Justice. Information on the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) programs is included here to provide background context for this program.

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) program is offered only as a combined degree with the:

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Business
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Criminology
• Bachelor of Communication
• Bachelor of Development Studies
• Bachelor of Global Indigenous Studies
• Bachelor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship
• Bachelor of Science or
• Bachelor of Social Science.

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Diploma of Legal Practice degree meets the academic requirements needed to gain admission to the practice of law in New South Wales.

During the first three years, combined degree students enrol in the courses offered by the Newcastle Law School as part of the LLB (Hons) program, as well as courses which contribute to their non-Law program. During the final two years students enrol in LAWS courses only. For information about the non-Law programs and recommended enrolment patterns for individual combined degrees, refer to the relevant program handbooks.

Upon completion of their non-Law program students will be automatically transferred into the Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Diploma of Legal Practice for their final two years of Law studies. Students who wish to instead transfer into the Bachelor Laws (Honours) should consult the Program Convenor.

On successful completion of the program students will have:

• Demonstrate the capacity to provide professional advice, based on specialised knowledge of law and its application in diverse contexts, to employers, government and individual clients.
• Recognise Law as a dynamic discipline requiring professional lifelong learning and skill development.
• Demonstrate the technical and cognitive skills required to plan and conduct advanced legal research tasks independently.
• Demonstrate the technical and cognitive skills required to plan and conduct advanced legal research tasks in collaboration with others.
• Apply critical thinking skills to analyse the formation, content and operation of the law.
• Apply lateral thinking to solve legal problems through the range of available dispute resolution mechanisms.
• Demonstrate advanced oral communication skills.
• Demonstrate advanced written communication skills.
• Recognise the importance of acting as a professional advocate for the rule of law.
• Apply professional skills to the maintenance and reform of the legal system.
• Understand and uphold the highest ethical standards in discharging responsibilities to clients, other professionals, the courts and the public.
• Understand, evaluate and critically reflect upon the interaction of law and society.